Twenty Years After · Chapter
The Riot explained
Gondy observes the nocturnal preparations for revolt in Paris, including barricades and arms distribution.
What happens
Gondy observes the nocturnal preparations for revolt in Paris, including barricades and arms distribution. The next morning, the city is in full rebellion. The Maréchal de la Meilleraie attempts to suppress the uprising but is surrounded and forced to retreat. Gondy intervenes, securing a promise from the marshal to demand Broussel's release. Meanwhile, Mazarin, alarmed, summons d'Artagnan and Porthos, who report the intensity of the revolt.
Themes in this chapter
Revolution and Rebellion
The chapter depicts the full-scale revolt in Paris, with barricades, armed citizens, and open defiance of royal authority.
Power and Corruption
Mazarin's fear and his frantic securing of wealth highlight the corruption and fragility of his power.
Class and Ambition
Gondy's manipulation of the lower classes and his own ambition to control the revolt are central.
Characters to notice
- Gondy
Leads the nocturnal preparations and later calms the crowd, securing the marshal's promise.
- Planchet
Distributes arms in the streets and later leads halberdiers against the marshal.
- Rochefort
Leads fifty white-cloaked recruits into a sculptor's trapdoor.
- Louvières
Guards the Pont Neuf with bourgeois and later appears at the Rue de la Monnaie.
- Friquet
Organizes a company of rogues and makes a racket at the barricade.
- Mazarin
Terrified by the revolt, secures his valuables and summons d'Artagnan.
- D'Artagnan
Reports to Mazarin with Porthos, showing bullet holes in his cloak.
- Porthos
Accompanies d'Artagnan; his coat is cut by a halberd.
Key passages
“The whole city seemed peopled with fantastic beings; silent shadows were seen unpaving the streets and others dragging and upsetting great wagons, whilst others again dug ditches large enough to engulf whole regiments of horsemen.”
The city appeared filled with ghostly figures tearing up streets, overturning wagons, and digging trenches that could swallow cavalry.
Describes the eerie, chaotic preparations for the barricades.
“The work of revolt continued the whole night thus. The next morning, on awaking, Paris seemed to be startled at her own appearance. It was like a besieged town.”
The rebellion's labor went on all night, and by morning Paris looked like a city under siege, surprising even its own inhabitants.
Highlights the transformation of Paris overnight.
“Mazarin shrugged his shoulders and pretended to despise the populace; but he turned visibly pale and ran to his closet, trembling all over, locked up his gold and jewels in his caskets and put his finest diamonds on his fingers.”
Mazarin feigned contempt for the crowd but paled and hurried to secure his gold, jewels, and diamonds in fear.
Shows Mazarin's panic and materialism.